Stuart Lancaster: Owen Farrell and the new generation can lead us to glory

Stuart Lancaster backed Owen Farrell to light up Englandâs bright new era after naming the Saracens star in his Six Nations squad.

New breed: Owen Farrell has been included in a youthful England squad (Picture: Getty)

The interim coach unveiled a 32-man squad featuring 13 changes from the failed World Cup campaign and nine uncapped players.

The selection of Sarries playmaker Farrell is at the forefront of that revamp and the 20-year-old could make his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 4.

âThe highest compliment anyone can pay Owen is what he has just achieved,â Lancaster said.

âHe has gone from being an academy player to playing in a Premiership final, from the Under-20 World Cup and stepped straight into the senior squad.

âHe has the temperament and presence we are looking for. Am I worried about Owen Farrell playing international rugby? No, Iâm not. Will he be dropped if he plays poorly and kicked out of the squad? Absolutely no way.â

SaracensÂ centre Brad Barritt also received his first senior call, along with Northampton scrum-half Lee Dickson and Harlequinsâ Jordan Turner-Hall.

Farrell could line up in the centre against Scotland, with Charlie Hodgson at fly-half in place of the injured Toby Flood.

âI was pretty shocked when I first heard and it is a massive honour,â Farrell said.

Lancaster names his captain after a training week in Leeds at the end of the month with Dylan Hartley, Chris Robshaw, Ben Youngs, Tom Wood and Flood all in the frame.